Rep. Allen West, Florida Republican, locked in a tight re-election battle to keep his seat, has launched a new TV ad attacking his Democratic opponent for a 2003 bar fight that lead to his arrest.
The ad, which also highlights Mr. West’s Army career, is the latest in a series of attack ads by Mr. West against challenger Patrick Murphy in what has become one of the most competitive, negative and expensive House races in the country.
“Feb. 16, 2003, Fort Hood, Texas: Lt. Col. Allen West had just received deployment orders, and prepares his men to go to war,” the voice-over announcer says. “That night, South Beach, Miami: Patrick Murphy is thrown out of a club for fighting, covered in alcohol, and unable to stand. Murphy then confronts and verbally assaults a police officer. Patrick Murphy was arrested and taken to jail. Two men, a country in crisis — you decide.”
Mr. West’s 21-year military career ended in 2004 after the Army investigated his handling of a detainee while serving in Taji, Iraq, the previous year. Mr. West, a lieutenant colonel at the time, acknowledged firing a pistol near the detainee’s head to elicit information to protect his troops. After the investigation, he paid a $5,000 fine for his conduct and was allowed to retire with full benefits.
Click here to see the ad: http://youtu.be/R-lDL9_qDDs
